Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sidline Sid reckons that last Saturday was a fantastic day for Kiwi sport with the New Zealand Sevens team and the Black Caps both posting comprehensive victories – and all three Greerton Cricket Club teams grabbing a win apiece.

At Greerton Cricket, the feat of all three sides emerging victorious on one day is a rare treat usually celebrated long into the night.

While Greerton is far from the most successful club in Western Bay senior cricket, the three teams are reflective of the various aspirations and abilities of local club players.

Universally known in the clubrooms at Pemberton Park as the Prems, the club's First XI plays in the BOP Cricket Baywide competitions.

Premier club cricket is extremely competitive with some sledging known to take part, especially in the inter-city battles between the Tauranga and Rotorua teams.

Many of the players in the Premier grade have representative aspirations or have played rep cricket in the past.

Brett Hampton known to all in cricket as ‘Hammer', is the club's current star.

Bay of Plenty and Northern Districts A representation this season has been the reward for a hard hitting batsman and demon bowler with ball in hand.

Two centuries for Greerton and a seven-wicket bag in Bay colours, indicates a young player with a real future in the game.

Several of the Greerton Prems have played for the Bay First XI over the years with the wise old head of experience provided by Murray Jarvis, who is in his 22nd season of Premier cricket in the yellow and black uniform.

Reserve Grade cricket is the stepping stone to the Prem grade with young players on the way up and more senior cricketers who have endured top level club cricket and are content to play at a more leisurely pace.

Last Sunday's Baywide (Reserve) McNaughton Trophy match at Blake Park, between Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Boys' College reflected the value of the second echelon competition.

The Tauranga Boys Second XI, which plays Reserve Grade cricket in the local men's competition, is chock full of youngsters who want to progress their school's first XI. Kane Williams is a good example of a youngster who played for Tauranga Boys' seconds (2005) before travelling the pathway to Black Cap selection.

By contrast, the Mount side has a number of former Bay rep players and top line club players in their ranks. Former Premier captain Blair Parlane, and Tom Morrison and Steve Charman, who played for the Bay over a decade ago, provided a wealth of experience to several youngsters in the Mount side.

For the record, in a game that was a close contest for most of the encounter – the Mount batted first in the 40 over match and were removed for 138 with Tauranga Boys' falling 22 runs short of victory.

B Grade cricket is more relaxed, and while winning is important, the grade caters for a vast range of players; from teenagers who just want a hit and bowl without to much preparation and training to the veterans of the game who sometimes play into their 50s and 60s.

Seeya at the Game